PM BHATTARAI TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH INDIAN DEFENCE MNISTER

FURTHER DETAILS OF PM BHATTARAI’S INDIA VISIT
Kathmandu, 22 Oct.: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is holding discussions with Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony later Friday following discussions of security and border dispute with Home Minister P. Chidambaran.

He will visit Jawarlal Nehru University from where he completed his higher education.
The Nepal embassy will hold a reception in the evening.
Bhattarai asked Indian business leaders Friday to invest in Nepal where there was security for investments specially after a bilateral agreement for investment protection.
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A planned meeting with Sonia Gandhi Friday wasn’t held because of her indisposition, reports from the Indian capital

Gandhi is chairperson of ruling alliance.
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GREATER LUMBINI DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CONDUCTS FIRST MEET

Kathmandu, 22 Oct.: The first meeting of the Greater Lumbini Development National Steering Committee on Friday decided to thank the Government for forming a high-level committee and entrusting it with the responsibility of recommending a master plan to build an international peace city by incorporating areas from Kapilvastu to Rupandehi and neighboring region of Nawalparasi, and mobilizing support for the greater development of the Lumbini region, RSS reports.

The meeting held today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of its Chairperson and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal decided to write to the UN Secretary General in order to coordinate with the International Committee of the UN.

The Committee has not been formed in parallel to the Lumbini Development Trust but to help the Trust realise its goals and objectives, says a statement released following the meeting.

The next meeting of the Committee shall decide on the appointment of the Member-Secretary of the Committee and nominations to other posts, it is stated.
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LEADERS OPTIMISTC PEACE, CONSTITUTION
Kathmandu, 22 Oct.: Political leaders have said the remaining tasks of the peace process and constitution drafting process should be completed within the next few days, RSS reports.
Speaking at an interaction programme in the Capital on Friday, UCPN-Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel said the discussions on these issues underway among the parties will bear fruit within the next few days since they are heading towards a positive direction.
"The UCPN-Maoist would not be an obstacle in accelerating the peace process and constitution drafting process if the issues relating to the form and number of integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants were settled through consensus", he said.
Nepali Congress central member Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said the parties are near to a consensus regarding the remaining tasks of the peace process and constitution drafting process.

He further expressed the hope that parties would reach to a significant consensus to this effect after the arrival of Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattari from his India visit.

CPN-UML leader Bhim Acharya said the pending tasks of the peace process process and constitution making process would be completed within the next few days.

"All parties are in a same ground regarding the peace and constitution drafting process-related issues", he said underscoring the need of unity among the parties to push the nation towards a right track.

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic General Secretary Jeetendra Dev said a basis for taking the peace process and constitution drafting process to conclusion has been created.

The nation could get an outlet to the existing problems if the Nepali Congress and the Maoist gave up their stances, he added.
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